Kwame Geathers’ father upset over his son’s half-game suspension
Robert Geathers Sr., the father of Georgia sophomore noseguard Kwame Geathers, is upset that his son was assessed a two-quarter suspension in the Florida game after being the victim of what he thought was a dangerous, defenseless hit in the Vanderbilt game this past weekend.
“I’ve played football and been around football all my life,” said Robert Geathers Sr., who played in the NFL for 13 seasons has has two other sons playing professionally, “and if you watch it you see this kid speed up while everybody else is slowing down and he’s locked in on my son’s leg. If you look closely you can see the guy give a thumbs up to the sideline and the coach telling him ‘good job.’ I was, like, ‘Wow!’ I could be sitting here today telling you how my son’s surgery went.”
Mr. Geathers is referring to Vanderbilt sophomore center Logan Stewart, who was flagged for clipping on the play. Kwame Geathers was called for a personal foul after he turned around and punched Stewart in the side while both players remained on the ground. You can GO HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO.
Both players were assessed half-game suspensions by the SEC on Wednesday afternoon. Georgia strong safety Shawn Williams was also levied a half-game suspension for an illegal hit he made in the game.
Mr. Geathers was incredulous that his son is being disciplined at all.
“They fine you for hits like that in the NFL and they’re fining Kwame two quarters out of a game?,” he said. “Kwame didn’t do anything wrong. He’s just reacting. I’m a parent who’s really upset. I could’ve gotten a call telling me that my son’s career is over.”
Mr. Geathers said Vanderbilt “needs to call Georgia and apologize for that kid. I think a good coach would do that. I’m not sure if we’ll get anything out of this but somebody needs to make an example of it and it doesn’t need to be Kwame.”
Vanderbilt coach James Franklin and Georgia coach Mark Richt, participating in the weekly SEC teleconference call on Wednesday, declined to comment on any of the events that took place during or after Georgia’s 33-28 win.
– Chip Towers
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359 comments Add your comment
T
October 19th, 2011
1:17 pm
If your son would have just walked away then UGA would not
have gotten a penalty
That’s right he was penalized during the game, it should be over. What’s next arresting players for actions during a footall game?
Sunny
October 19th, 2011
1:18 pm
He got suspended for throwing a punch. That was completely his decision, and it’s his own fault that he’s being punished. He’s responsible for his own behavior, not anyone else.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
1:20 pm
The SEC office needs to provide precedents here of other plays just like this and the resultant suspension period. Kwame Geathers threw a punch. I am totally surprised that he was not thrown out at that very moment. The officials had already thrown the red flag on sophomore Center Logan Stewart. I believe if Kwame Geathers had not thrown the punch hitting Logan Stewart, that neither player would face any suspension period. This is not right, all around. And, moreover, I do not believe if # 36 Shawn Williams had not been taunting the Vandie sidelines after the game, when he had 2 personal fouls in the game, that (1) Shawn Williams would not be sitting out 2 quarters or any quarters either like Kwame Geathers would not have and I believe (2) that Todd Grantham and James Franklin would not have faced any suspensions, either. This story is half-baked, therefore and rush to press when you should have been asking other people in the conference call for the others to provide these details to you. If the 2 players are all that is suspended and especially if James Franklin and Todd Grantham are not suspended when they are supposed to be these kids’ leaders, whom the players are supposed to look up to, then The SEC Office has this ALL WRONG. I know Robert Geathers, Sr. is the father; but, as far as I am concerned, what Robert Geathers, Sr. says, is what it actually is and the discussion ends with his statement. Now, get us the details, not half the story. I think you make it sound like Chip Towers printing this this early, as if the 2 players are suspended for 2 quarters each. Well, again, they NEITHER would be facing that without James Franklin and especially Todd Grantham getting into it over Shawn Williams.
James Franklin and Todd Grantham are the 2 who should be suspended. Without their skirmish, there is not any suspension coming to anyone else. They are to blame. Well, maybe Kwame was always going to be suspended – cannot punch a player. That part had to happen.
schmeckdawg
October 19th, 2011
1:20 pm
LkB
October 19th, 2011
1:05 pm
If CMR had a set of balls he would appeal the suspension and let Geathers play against UF the entire game. He does not so he will not. Pretty simple and I am not only a UGA fan but a supporter of CMR. Sometimes you just have to state the facts.
****************************************************************************************************************
AMEN!!!!!!!!!! Richt has no guts. When I saw him take the Vanderbilt side in that video clip with franklin, I lost all respect for him!!!! It’s like watching your brother being beat up and you go and help the other guy. Richt needs for his balls to drop!!!!!
TampaDawg
October 19th, 2011
1:20 pm
Amen to that Schmeckdawg, “Tell it Like it is” absolutely TOLD IT LIKE IT WAS. Every person on here who says Geathers was wrong, Grantham is wrong, suspend Geathers, Vandy isn’t at fault, or whatever other lame post we keep seeing is simply stating it out of hatred for UGA. If it were their team, their players and/or their coaches, they would erect a statue in that persons honor.
cooter55
October 19th, 2011
1:20 pm
DAWGS have another NG He will have to suck it up and play to his billing.
ROCK STEADY FREDDY
October 19th, 2011
1:21 pm
Franklin should be beat down as soon as he steps foot in the state of Georgia.
Fair is fair. | Get The Picture
October 19th, 2011
1:21 pm
[...] Mr. Gethers is ticked. “I’ve played football and been around football all my life,” said Robert Geathers Sr., who [...]
TampaDawg
October 19th, 2011
1:23 pm
I too hope CMR appeals this load of crap. And for the Vandy player to get the same penalty, the SEC is simply setting a precedent that says all you have to do is go after players with cheap shots and nothing will happen that you can’t overcome.
The Truth
October 19th, 2011
1:23 pm
You punch someone, you should get suspended…You Ugag fans just don’t get it.
gbal
October 19th, 2011
1:23 pm
Let the refs call the game as they see it. If the SEC office wants to tighten up on calls, take it up with the officials and have them call a tighter game. Don’t care for the idea of some office guys setting around the week after a game and deciding if additional penalties need to be dolled out.
G-Dawg
October 19th, 2011
1:24 pm
AMAZING….Slive is ruining the SEC. Kwame was flagged for his punch. That should have been the end of it. Apparently liberal nature of the SEC and NCAA committees dont know how to properly assess the full spectrum of issues. They need to run Slive out…just as the Big 12 ran Beebe out!!
DawgATL
October 19th, 2011
1:26 pm
FLA player, Bostic i think, threw a punch in the Alabama game, got a penalty and nothing else. Wonder if Slive has a twitter account, we should blow that thing up or blow his email up, he is a JOKE!
C. Tampa Ironworse
October 19th, 2011
1:26 pm
Vandy MIGHT have ruined his career with a possible injury. His dad TOTALLY ruined his future career in the world of business by naming him Kwame.
G-Dawg
October 19th, 2011
1:26 pm
Tampa…I agree…if Richt doesnt appeal the nature of this suspension…he will begin to lose credibility with his players and even more with the fans…which seems he’s already lost many!!
Bernie Matt
October 19th, 2011
1:27 pm
We now know why Franklin is mimicking Lane Kiffin with his helicopter act! He wants to run a cheapshot, dirty program like Kiffin. Don’t know for sure, but Franklin looks like a person of color from the T.V., if so we deserve a better representation from a coach in a profession where we are already grossly underrepresented!
gdawginkalamazoo
October 19th, 2011
1:28 pm
Sunny, 1:18 post, nice way to put it, I agree with that completely. I might not like the suspension but he did what he did. I can also understand why Mr Geathers is so upset. He is a guy that has spent his entire life in and around football who knows exactly how much worse this could have turned out for his son. His son could have been carted off that field and not played another down of football in his life. I would gladly trade the two quarter suspension for throwing the punch than have Kwame done for in his career.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
1:29 pm
I like the name Kwame. I like the name Jumpy, too.
Georgia NG Kwame Geathers, SS Shawn Williams and Vandy player get half-game suspensions | UGA sports blog
October 19th, 2011
1:30 pm
[...] Geathers’ father upset over suspension, wants apology [...]
dawg bitesu
October 19th, 2011
1:31 pm
This just means that Vandy will always get beat by UGA. We will not let up or put second teamers in when the score is 99 – 0 at the half. UGA Show pride and never ever lose to Vandy the candies again. Football players in GA Dont go to a program that dont ever win. There only one good team in TN. And that anybody playing UT or Candy Vandy in TN.
Dbalcer
October 19th, 2011
1:32 pm
Franklin does remind me more and more of Kiffin. Flashy recruiting, cheap shots and the attitude. Let see if he does to Vandy what Kiffin did to UT. If so he will be gone soon.
Foots McToe
October 19th, 2011
1:33 pm
Throwing a punch is supposed to be an ejection. Retaliation is usually what gets the flag because they don’t see the first transgression. Must operate under self control. No matter what happens.
GTBob
October 19th, 2011
1:33 pm
This is so much easier to say when it isn’t you and it isn’t your son. In fact, you have no way of knowing how you would react in that situation until it is you in that situation.
It doesn’t matter. If you react by punching the guy then you are going to get suspended. You aren’t going to get sympathy just because you took a cheap shot. Let the officials and the SEC worry about the cheap shot. Take matters into your own hands will get you suspended, just like this.
gbal
October 19th, 2011
1:34 pm
Have to say that I agree that Kwame was wrong by throwing the punch according to the rules of football. Do i blame him for reacting to the cheep shot after the play was over…. NO. Just being a man. But the penalties for the clip and for the punch after should be thrown and accessed on the field not in the office the next week. If the official thought the penalty was 15 yards… fine… If he thought it should be an ejection…. fine…. eject either or both. But this evaluating penalties the following week and accessing a penalty is for the birds.
Bob LaBlah
October 19th, 2011
1:36 pm
Every single one of you UGA fans is a dumass redneck. Just read the posts if you don’t believe me.
jtfalcfan
October 19th, 2011
1:37 pm
1/2 game is OK I guess – shouldn’t retaliate – but usually retailiation is punished with a penalty – but I’m ok with it.
The young Vandy player should pay a heftier price – at least one game I think would suffice –
If the SEC is investigating, they should investigate the “thumbs up”. If a kid it taught/encouraged/coherced into diving at the back of a player’s knee after a play winds down, the coach should be banned from the SEC.
That’s the tragedy – along with the fact that Bradley/Shultz want to find a way to suspend Grantham for scowling on the sideline
Eagle
October 19th, 2011
1:37 pm
UGA is a disgrace to the State of Georgia. No team discipline, no academics. Just a football factory with a Coach who is not respected by his players. The State needs to close the place down and stop using my taxpayer money to support this fake academic landmark. Why have a NFL minor league instead of a fine academic University. Don’t give me that top 50 junk, US news is a joke Liberal news outlet.
Matthews Dawg
October 19th, 2011
1:39 pm
I can’t imagine the CMR and the Athletic Dept are not doing something about KG’s suspension, or possible suspension. The UF game is huge and we need everyone. Those who say CMR doesn’t have a pair, how can you make that call, when you all have been slamming Chip for not letting all the facts come out on the suspension. Maybe everything comes out today or tomorrow and Chip is exactly right. I just can’t believe anyone associated with UGA football will not try to appeal. Some of you are rushing to judgment prior to knowing 100% sure of all the facts. Unless you are in the meetings, it is just speculation! But, I do agree with all of you, KG should have knocked the crap out of the Vandy kid. Let’s get ready for UF!! It’s time to change the mojo on that game!! I’m sick of losing to those guys!! Go Dawgs!!
jtfalcfan
October 19th, 2011
1:39 pm
Bob LaBlah
October 19th, 2011
1:36 pm
Wow – a gentleman and a scholar, I see.
No wonder socienty continues to denegrate, considering someone like this is allowed to have offspring….
Evansdawg
October 19th, 2011
1:39 pm
If he knew he was going to get suspended, he should have twisted his helmet or broken his nose to make it really count. Going after a season-ending injury (and it does look like it was an ordered hit by the Vandy coaching staff) should result in ejection from at least an entire game. Once again, the SEC gets it wrong. What kind of person wouldn’t retaliate???
gdawginkalamazoo
October 19th, 2011
1:40 pm
dawg bitesu, I am afraid as long as Richt and Bobo are running the program that will never happen. UT game 2- & 57? run the ball. 1:07 left against Vandy and we can’t get a first down. Three games this season, Ole Miss, MSU, Vandy where we could have put those teams away for good but we choose to keep the game close.
I am hoping that Richt & Bobo have been just clowning us by doing enough to win while holding back on the explosive players and plays that can actually put the other team away. UF and Auburn would be the perfect games to do so.
If not come Dec 5th Richt will be announced as HC at UNC or Miami next year.
Matthews Dawg
October 19th, 2011
1:40 pm
Eagle…..blah, blah, blah,blah…….
jtfalcfan
October 19th, 2011
1:41 pm
Eagle
October 19th, 2011
1:37 pm
looks like someone didn’t get accepted….
Dawg '85
October 19th, 2011
1:41 pm
Bob LaBlah
October 19th, 2011
1:36 pm
Every single one of you UGA fans is a dumass redneck
I would think if you can’t spell that word… then… your picture might be right beside it in the dictionary.
alex
October 19th, 2011
1:41 pm
Cheap hit by vandy does not explain away a retalatory punch..Both with minimal suspensions,acceptable. Father should teach his child discipline…
ugaDAWG
October 19th, 2011
1:41 pm
The SEC administration is joke, including officiating on and off the field. Worst officials in the country. This decision penalizing Georgia with two players against Florida and Vandebilt with one player agsinst Army. ARMY!
James Adams
October 19th, 2011
1:42 pm
Wall Street Journal today ranked UGA dirtiest team in dirtiest series-today ’s edition
mb peachtree city
October 19th, 2011
1:44 pm
My gosh have any of you played ball before, that was a cheap shot looking to end someones career and the coach ok’s it. Barely a retaliation and the kid Geather’s is suddenly undisciplined as is the team, I wouldn’t take it either illegal chop blocks at the knees, just damn. Finally we get some fire out of a coach taking up for his players and he’s being disciplined for it just damn. We needed some swagger. Good for you Coach TG.
Bobo is Not the Problem
October 19th, 2011
1:44 pm
Really? Who cares.
footballofficial
October 19th, 2011
1:46 pm
Mr. Geathers, seeing as you have been around football for that long, you should be well aware that if you throw a punch you are going to miss some game time, at ANY level.
jtfalcfan
October 19th, 2011
1:46 pm
alex
October 19th, 2011
1:41 pm
Disagree completely
Differences in severity of the penalty should dictate the sentence.
An armed robber and a pot smoker should never serve the same sentence.
I’m not saying kick the kid out of school, but punishment must fit the crime. And if true, the coach that encouraged it needs to have the axe fall on his SEC career – egregious.
And why not? Bradley and Shultz wants Grantham kicked off the planet for yelling at a grown man for yelling at one of his kids.
Matthews Dawg
October 19th, 2011
1:47 pm
kalimazoo…why would any coach want to keep it close? That really doesn’t make sense at all. So, either you don’t know what you are talking about OR CMR and CMB are dumb as rocks!! I choose to believe you are just speaking off the top of your head with emotion and not using common sense! CMR has won a lot of games at UGA and IMO he is not trying to keep it close. But, I’m sure you and others here will chose the “rocks” statement. We will agree to disagree. Go Dawgs!!
jtfalcfan
October 19th, 2011
1:48 pm
USA Today ranks James Adams as the biggest loser with the tinyest excuse for leaving his mom’s basement….
WhatUpDawg
October 19th, 2011
1:48 pm
First off I am a Tech fan. Get that out of the way. At first glance and reading the headline, my first thought was that Geathers dad was blowing smoke. Then read the article, but most importantly, saw the video. I totally agree with his Dad. Not so much on him being punished, as anytime you retaliate on the field, there will be punishment. But that was a dangerous block that Logan DECIDED to make on Geathers. I feel that the Vandy coaches do owe an appology. That could have very easily had been the end of his career. An inch either way and Geathers could be sidelined. Kudos to his Dad.
bucket
October 19th, 2011
1:48 pm
If you are the fan of another school, just go away – no one gives a crap what you have to say. So Spikes tries to gouge Ealey’s eye out and gets no suspension whatsoever by the SEC? CUM suspended Spikes for a quarter because of the fallout. I have supported CMR through the good times and bad times, but if he doesn’t come out with a strong statement against what has happened this week he has lost me forever. The AJC, 680 the fan, and Nashville media have been allowed to frame the argument from last week’s game in a way that makes UGA look guilty and so the SEC feels justified in taking action. CMR either needs to stand behind his players and coaches or get out of the way. Florida has a guy who “allegely” assaulted a former ALA player outside his home stadium and he has played the last two games for FLA and I am assuming will be playing against UGA. Where is the justice Slive?
jtfalcfan
October 19th, 2011
1:49 pm
WhatUpDawg
October 19th, 2011
1:48 pm
Excellent post
+1
Thanks for being a Tech fan with some class
bucket
October 19th, 2011
1:50 pm
@ WhatUp Dawg – I regret that my post appears right after yours, which was a classy post as opposed to alot of the other crappy posts we have to endure daily on the UGA blog.
THE MAJOR
October 19th, 2011
1:52 pm
According to the Wall Street Journal, Georgia is the chippiest team out there.
jtfalcfan
October 19th, 2011
1:54 pm
bucket
October 19th, 2011
1:48 pm
Excellent points. I thought about that as well, the difference being this was a forearm to the back, not something that’s causing permanent damage to a guy wearing pads. And that was NOT retaliation for anything I can remember (Gator fans, correct me if I’m wrong or was there something said about retaliation with the Ealey eye gouge?)
This was clear cut emotion from a cheap shot. If the punishment is excessive or unfair this should be fought tooth and nail. Mitigating and extenuating circumstances are two factors entire judicial system is built to rely on, and those same standards should apply with their decision making process.
DAWGtired
October 19th, 2011
1:55 pm
Take off the red lenses for a second fellas. If I had been in Kwame’s position, I’d have gone straight for that kids head with knees and elbows till the chinstrap came off. That is irrelevant, however, b/c this sport is trying to maintain a new “image” so that it no longer appears to be an uncivilized, barbaric sport. They have to send clear messages in these cases. A clear message is: you don’t use your fists to end a confrontation on or off the field. A clear message is: if you take a shot at someone who is unprotected, you will miss playing time. It has nothing to do with a “Who hit Who first”. As disciplined players and young men, sometimes you need to turn the other cheek and take the high road. That’s the league’s stance. As a man, if you take a shot at me, I’m gonna let you know that you picked a fight with the wrong hound. I don’t blame Kwame for sending his own private “Don’t F w/me” message. Grantham should know better, he’s a 45 year old man who saw plenty of TV exposure in the NFL and knows how it affects coaches’ careers. There’s a trade-off that you have to be willing to accept responsibility for. Gain respect/lose playing time. Lose respect/Stay on the field. Totally a judgement call, and, from a team perspective with what’s riding on this season, probably not the right one.